Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Preliminary Hearing To Begin Next Year For Dalhousie Student Charged With Murder

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Nov, 2015 11:32 AM
    HALIFAX — A preliminary hearing for a 23-year-old Nova Scotia man charged with the murder of a fellow Dalhousie University student is set to begin early next year.
     
    William Sandeson appeared briefly in provincial court in Halifax on Tuesday, when six days in February, March and April were set aside to hear the matter.
     
    Defence lawyer Eugene Tan said he needed the time to present 25 civilian witnesses, some of which the Crown argued were not necessary.
     
    Tan said outside court that his "wish list" of witnesses is necessary in the case, but that he and the Crown will meet before the hearing to try to winnow it down.
     
    "It's a circumstantial case," he said after the hearing. "The case is going to be pieced together with little bits from a lot of different witnesses....So, that's why my list is so long."
     
    Crown attorney Susan MacKay said she didn't believe the defence needed to call that many witnesses for the preliminary hearing. The two lawyers plan to meet for a focus hearing on Jan. 13 to update their progress on reducing the number of witnesses. 
     
    Sandeson is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Taylor Samson, a physics student at Dalhousie. Sandeson was charged with his murder on Aug. 20, four days after Samson was reported missing in Halifax.
     
    His body has never been found.
     
    A search warrant document describing some of the circumstances in the case was obtained by three media outlets before it was sealed by a judge.
     
    They reported that the document alleges Samson was involved in a drug deal involving marijuana before his death.
     
    Investigators subsequently searched two properties in Sandeson's hometown of Truro, N.S., saying they discovered several items of interest.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Plans To Engage With Provinces, Territories As Soon As Next Week

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Plans To Engage With Provinces, Territories As Soon As Next Week
    Canada's new health minister Jane Philpott says she plans to engage with provincial and territorial counterparts as soon as next week as the Liberals set the wheels in motion to establish a new health accord.

    Health Minister Jane Philpott Plans To Engage With Provinces, Territories As Soon As Next Week

    Two Winning Tickets Sold For Friday's $60-million Lotto Max Jackpot

    Two Winning Tickets Sold For Friday's $60-million Lotto Max Jackpot
    One was sold in Edmonton, and the other in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Two Winning Tickets Sold For Friday's $60-million Lotto Max Jackpot

    2 Men, 1 Woman Dead After U-Haul Van Collides With Another Vehicle Near Merritt, B.C.

    2 Men, 1 Woman Dead After U-Haul Van Collides With Another Vehicle Near Merritt, B.C.
    RCMP say the occupants of the van — two men and a woman — died at the scene of the collision (on Highway 5A/97C) six kilometres east of Merritt

    2 Men, 1 Woman Dead After U-Haul Van Collides With Another Vehicle Near Merritt, B.C.

    Murder Charges Laid After Man Found Bloodied, Unconscious On Vancouver Street

    Murder Charges Laid After Man Found Bloodied, Unconscious On Vancouver Street
    Police say a man was found lying on the ground near Station Street and National Avenue unconscious and covered in blood around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

    Murder Charges Laid After Man Found Bloodied, Unconscious On Vancouver Street

    Nirbhaya, a captivating piece of theatre tossing discussion on sexual violence

    Nirbhaya, a captivating piece of theatre tossing discussion on sexual violence
    Nirbhaya is a piece of theatre that grips you with its compelling depiction of issues tormenting women, emotionally and physically. 

    Nirbhaya, a captivating piece of theatre tossing discussion on sexual violence

    Surrey Man Who Tried To Flee Along Skytrain Tracks Facing Sentence For Break-ins

    Surrey Man Who Tried To Flee Along Skytrain Tracks Facing Sentence For Break-ins
    New Westminster Police say Peter Hogan has admitted to a break-in at the 22nd Street station and a similar break-in two days later at the Braid Street station

    Surrey Man Who Tried To Flee Along Skytrain Tracks Facing Sentence For Break-ins